Treating sickle cell

September is sickle cell awareness month – but what is sickle cell disorder? And how is it treated?

Sickle cell disorder is an inherited condition of the red blood cells which causes the cells to deform into a sickle shape when the cells are stressed. This can happen when a person with sickle cell disorder is unwell with fever, infection, dehydration or sometimes for no apparent reason. Sickle cell disorder is more common in certain countries, particularly African countries and parts of the Middle East.

When these red cells sickle, they are unable to work normally, and instead of travelling round the body normally delivering oxygen, they get stuck in the very small blood vessels. This causes the tissues to start to die, which results in intense severe pain, and can also cause organ damage depending on which area is affected.  These episodes of sickling are known as 'crises.' Sometimes crises can be managed with painkillers at home, but sometimes patients need to be admitted to hospital. These crises can be life threatening.

Although there are some medications that can help patients with sickle cell disorder, often the only treatment that will help patients feel better (and indeed save their lives) is a transfusion of donated blood.

Well matched blood is important to support patients with Sickle Cell Disorders, and that means SNBTS is eager to welcome donors from Minority Ethnic communities.

Find out where you can give blood using our session searcher.

Thank you for making such a difference.